the Learn-It-All™ podcast

Damon Lembi
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The Learn-It-All™ podcast is built on the conviction that the leaders worth following aren't the ones with all the answers. They're the ones who never stop learning. If you've chosen growth over coasting, and curiosity over the comfort of being the smartest person in the room, you're a learn-it-all. And this podcast is for you. Host Damon Lembi is a 3x bestselling author, CEO of Learnit, and someone who has spent 30 years watching what separates leaders who keep growing from those who quietly become the ceiling that limits everyone around them. Each episode features real conversations with top executives, founders, NYT bestselling authors, and world-class athletes — people who've faced adversity, made costly mistakes, and done the hard, unglamorous work of growing. They share what they learned — and unlearned — to lead at the next level. Great leaders aren't born or made. They're always in the making. Let's not do that work alone. Stay curious. Keep learning. Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast on your favorite platform to never miss an episode.

  1. 16h ago

    320. The Mindset Shift High Achievers Need Before Burnout Forces It | Mairin Moore Cane

    What if the mindset that made you successful is also the mindset quietly pushing you toward burnout? High achievers are rewarded for going, doing, achieving, and hustling, but leadership advisor, Keynote speaker, and bestselling author Mairin Moore Cane says there is a hidden cost when your identity and self-worth become tied to performance. You stop appreciating what you’ve already accomplished, failures start feeling personal, and slowing down can feel almost impossible. For Mairin, that pattern eventually became impossible to ignore. After years of pushing herself, people pleasing, and trying to show up for everyone else, chronic illness forced her from running nine miles a day to spending three years largely bedridden. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Mairin to explore the mindset shift high achievers and leaders need to make before burnout forces it for them. Mairin shares how to recognize when ambition has become misalignment, why knowing your values matters more than constantly proving yourself, and how her Root, Realign, and Rise framework helps people move through failure, pressure, identity shifts, and difficult seasons without letting those moments define them. Damon and Mairin also unpack authentic leadership, creating psychologically safe and connected teams, learning to say “I don’t have the answer,” and why some of the strongest leaders stop pretending they have everything figured out. If you’re navigating leadership burnout, performance-based self-worth, people pleasing, chronic stress, or the pressure to constantly achieve, this conversation offers a more sustainable way to succeed without losing yourself in the process. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... The warning signs that you’re living out of alignment, including saying yes when something inside you wants to say no, constantly trying to fit in, and ignoring the feeling that something isn’t authenticWhy strong leadership does not mean having every answer, and how Mairin learned to tell her team, “I don’t have an answer,” while inviting them to figure out the next step togetherHow leaders can create safer, more connected teams by admitting their own weak points, understanding where employees are struggling, and taking two minutes to genuinely ask, “How are you doing?”How the Root, Realign, and Rise framework helps you separate a difficult circumstance from your identity, return to what is true, realign around your values, and use adversity as a foundation for what comes nextWhy Mairin sees failures as “launching points into the next pivot,” and how learning to move before you have everything figured out can build stronger leaders and more resilient teamsWhy becoming matters more than appearing perfect, and how difficult seasons can deepen your roots instead of proving that you are failingHow gratitude, intentional pauses, and acknowledging what you have already accomplished can interrupt the constant pressure to rush toward the next goal Timestamps 00:00 Introduction01:12 The hidden danger of tying self-worth to achievement02:35 Why high performers struggle to slow down05:48 The moment Mairin realized achievement wasn’t enough08:41 Where the need to please everyone really began10:48 The warning signs you’re losing yourself12:36 Why control can quietly run your life14:28 The leadership lesson she learned from having no answers15:37 How to rewrite your identity as a leader19:33 What business failure taught Mairin about resilience23:37 How great leaders make failure feel safe25:46 The two-minute habit that builds stronger teams27:50 The Root, Realign, and Rise framework33:18 What happens when you stop resisting who you’re becoming34:54 Why Mairin doesn’t want her old life back37:48 You don’t have to be whole to lead38:47 The story that brought Mairin to tears40:51 Finding purpose in the pain42:13 Damon’s challenge: Are you really showing up? About Mairin Moore Cane Mairin Moore Cane is a leadership advisor, keynote speaker, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and host of the Root, Realign, Rise™ Podcast. After more than two decades of leading businesses through growth, uncertainty, difficult decisions, and major transitions, Mairin now helps leaders navigate pressure, strengthen resilience, and make clearer decisions without losing themselves in the process. Her work centers on authentic leadership, identity, performance under pressure, and the belief that you don’t have to have everything resolved before you can lead well. She is also the author of Rooted, Not Rushed: Healing, Reclaiming, and Rising in a World That Told You to Shrink. Resources and Mentions Rooted, Not Rushed book: https://www.amazon.com/ROOTED-NOT-RUSHED-Healing-Reclaiming/dp/1968250751 Mairin Moore Cane’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mairinmoorecane/ Root, Realign, Rise™ Podcast: https://mairinmoorecane.com/podcasts/ Mairin Moore Cane’s Website: https://mairinmoorecane.com/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

    320. The Mindset Shift High Achievers Need Before Burnout Forces It | Mairin Moore Cane

  2. 3d ago

    319. His Apps Reached 100 Million Users: Here's Why Your Customers Don't Stay | Colin Hodge

    A million users in three months. Then the hardest three months of his life. Colin Hodge, author of Outrageous Startup Growth, walked away from Microsoft and spent the next decade learning how to build a truly sustainable business — reaching a total of 100 million users in his career. But in between came an App Store ban, a major lawsuit, a co-founder's burnout, and a 3 AM breakdown that put his resilience to the test. In this episode, you will learn: Why understanding people beats better technologyHow to build empathy without becoming “soft”The Method Mindset technique for thinking like your customersHow to grow through adversity and burnoutWhy removing all friction from your product can backfireThe bias that shows up in nearly every negotiationHow to keep your work human in the age of AI Topics discussed: (00:00) Introduction (00:51) Tech Isn’t Everything (02:24) Why He Left Microsoft (09:23) The Taboo Founder Trait (11:02) The Method Mindset Technique (15:38) When Your People Burn Out (19:54) Empathy Without Going Soft (21:37) Bang with Friends Origin Story (26:07) 1M Users in Three Months (30:04) Banned By Apple & Sued By Zynga (32:47) Surviving Rock Bottom (37:51) Sustainable Growth (41:00) Good Friction vs. Bad Friction (47:26) The Bias That Saves Thousands Connect with Colin Hodge: https://linkedin.com/in/ckbhodge https://colinhodge.substack.com https://instagram.com/ckbhodge https://facebook.com/colin.hodge Resources Mentioned: Outrageous Startup Growth: Uncovering the Secrets of User Psychology to Scale Your Success by Colin Hodge About the Guest: Colin Hodge is a startup founder and national bestselling author who has led companies and growth teams responsible for over 100 million users. He currently is co-owner of DOWN, a top 10 dating app in the US with millions in annual revenue – built on the growth principles and lessons shared in this book. He achieved a successful exit for DOWN (then later reacquiring it) and 17Live, the top live-streaming video company in Asia. While chief growth officer at 17Live, Colin led data-driven initiatives in growth, global expansion, and marketing, then launched the platform in the United States as the first US CEO. Let us know your key takeaways from the episode! And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    319. His Apps Reached 100 Million Users: Here's Why Your Customers Don't Stay | Colin Hodge

  3. 6d ago

    318. The Fastest Way to Scale AI Across Your Organization

    Companies are spending billions of dollars on AI tools, and most of them still aren't seeing the ROI they expected. In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon Lembi, CEO of Learnit, sits down with Christa Hill, Learnit's Chief AI Learning Officer, to share what they're actually hearing behind the scenes. After going through 100+ calls with the leaders responsible for AI adoption, they pulled the three questions that come up again and again and answer them with actionable advice. 🚀 Get your team into the top 3% of AI users in North America in about four weeks with Learnit's AI Kickstarter: https://www.learnit.com/lp/ai-skills-program Thanks to our sponsor, P3•EDU: https://p3edu.com/ In this episode, you will learn: Who's actually in the room when companies make AI decisionsWhy the "AI strategist" role is suddenly showing up everywhereWhether you need training, consultants, or bothThe right way (and the wrong way) to build an AI pilot teamWhy voice, not typing, is the biggest unlock people find in AI training Topics discussed: 00:00 Introduction 00:51 Sponsor Shoutout: P3EDU 01:30 Who's Actually in the Room for AI Decisions 02:56 The Rise of the AI Strategist Role 04:23 Training or Consultants? Why the Answer Is Both 07:22 Do AI Pilot Programs Actually Work? 09:19 Naysayers vs. Early Adopters: Building the Right Team 13:08 The Real Mindset Shift Behind Adoption 13:37 Voice Over Typing: The Biggest Aha Moment 16:06 Free AI Training for Your Team About the Guest: Christa Hill is the Chief AI Learning Officer at Learnit, where she leads the AI Kickstarter program and teaches AI literacy to leaders and teams. She's in live classrooms most of the week, helping organizations move from first exposure to real adoption — and helping leaders navigate the human side of change: fear, resistance, and "what's in it for me?" Follow her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christajhill/ Great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of the Learn-It-All™ podcast with Damon Lembi every week. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi

    318. The Fastest Way to Scale AI Across Your Organization

  4. Jul 30

    317. Why Great Salespeople Struggle When Promoted Into Leadership | Lynn Hidy

    What if promoting your best salesperson is one of the fastest ways to create a struggling sales manager? Being great at selling and being great at leading require completely different skills. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with inside sales expert and author Lynn Hidy to explore why top-performing salespeople often struggle after transitioning into leadership roles. Lynn explains why new managers must stop trying to clone their best rep, define what leadership looks like for them, and understand that their success is now measured through the performance of others. She also shares the questions every salesperson should ask before accepting a promotion and introduces her “puzzle box” framework for building a clear sales leadership vision. Damon and Lynn also discuss why effective sales coaching must focus on the person behind the number. Great leaders uncover what quota, commission, or President’s Club actually represents to each salesperson and use that motivation to drive consistent performance. Lynn breaks down her Bell Curve Manifesto, revealing why the overlooked 68% in the middle may offer the greatest opportunity for growth in the sales team. You’ll also learn how AI is changing customer expectations, why listening and storytelling matter more than ever, how to handle toxic top performers, and why celebrating resilience and small wins helps inside sales teams stay motivated. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... Why great salespeople often struggle as first-time sales managers when they assume everyone should sell exactly the way they didThe questions high performers should answer before accepting a leadership promotion, including whether they want their success to depend on other people’s successHow Lynn’s “picture on the puzzle box” framework helps sales leaders define how they want to show up and align their team with the organization and its customersWhy coaching to numbers creates a motivational disconnect, and how repeatedly asking “What does that get you?” reveals the real goal behind President’s Club, quota, or commissionHow the Bell Curve Manifesto redirects leadership attention toward the overlooked 68% who are hitting goal inconsistently or performing well without being treated like rock starsWhy resilience deserves to be celebrated through small wins, productive activity, frustration bingo, and even contests that reward hearing “no” Timestamps 00:00 Introduction03:46 Three questions to ask before accepting the promotion07:32 From sales hero to hero maker09:45 Leadership and management are not the same12:09 The expectations most new leaders never clarify14:04 What is the picture on your puzzle box?17:41 What customers still need from human salespeople21:11 Stop coaching the number and coach the person23:35 The annoying question that reveals real motivation26:36 How to measure a salesperson’s true value30:02 What to do with a toxic top performer36:33 The biggest opportunity hiding in the middle41:58 Where sales leaders can find more time44:21 How often should you coach each salesperson?47:07 When a sales team becomes too big to lead48:10 Why the player-coach model breaks down50:24 The sales job changed. Many teams did not.51:48 Why frustration deserves to be celebrated55:24 What successful sales leadership should feel like57:04 Damon’s challenge for every sales leader About Lynn Hidy Lynn Hidy is an inside sales expert, trainer, coach, consultant, and founder of UpYourTelesales.com. With 30 years of sales experience, she helps inside sales leaders build engaged, high-performing teams without trying to clone their best salesperson. She is also the author of Mastering Inside Sales Leadership, a practical guide that helps new and experienced managers define their leadership vision, understand what motivates each team member, focus on the behaviors and results that matter, and become hero makers rather than heroes. Resources and Mentions Mastering Inside Sales Leadership Book: https://masteringinsidesalesleadership.com/ Lynn Hidy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnhidy/ UpYourTelesales Website: https://upyourtelesales.com/ Simplify Inside Sales: https://upyourtelesales.com/2021/07/22/simplify-inside-sales/ Go For No!: https://www.goforno.com/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

    317. Why Great Salespeople Struggle When Promoted Into Leadership | Lynn Hidy

  5. Jul 28

    316. You're Probably in the Wrong Career — Here's How to Find Your "Thing" | Tom Rath

    By the time you picked your career, you probably only knew about 5% of the opportunities out there. No wonder so many of us end up in the wrong one. According to bestselling author Tom Rath, millions of people die with their greatest contributions locked inside them. He makes the case that a few key changes can unlock your full potential, make you a better leader, and build purpose into your day. In this episode, you will learn: Why most people end up in the wrong careerThe daily question that keeps you focused on what mattersWhy chasing your own happiness is the wrong goalHow to find the right career and build purpose into your dayHow the leaders can bring out the best in their teams Topics discussed: (00:00) Introduction (00:47) Why Most People Choose Wrong (05:54) Stop Promoting the Wrong People (07:13) How His Health Shaped His Mindset (12:21) One Question to Ask Daily (15:53) The Happiness Mistake (17:23) Help People See Their Greatness (23:23) Don't Specialize Too Early (25:43) Rethinking Purpose (27:59) Stop Sleepwalking Through Your Day (32:05) Your Role as a Leader (35:09) Boost Your Productivity (36:59) How to Find Your Path Connect with Tom Rath: https://tomrath.org/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/trath/ https://x.com/TomCRath https://www.facebook.com/authortomrath https://www.instagram.com/tomrath_author Resources Mentioned: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink About the Guest: Tom is an author and researcher who studies how careers impact health and wellbeing. He has written 12 books that have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists. Tom's first book, How Full Is Your Bucket?, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. His book StrengthFinder 2.0 was listed as Amazon's top-selling non-fiction book of all time. Tom's other bestsellers include Strengths Based Leadership, Wellbeing, Eat Move Sleep, and Are You Fully Charged? Tom is currently co-founder and CEO of CareerSight. He previously led Gallup's workplaces business and served as a Senior Scientist. Tom was also a Vice-Chair of the VHL cancer research organization. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania, where he has also been a guest lecturer. Let us know your key takeaways from the episode! And remember, great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Get your FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    316. You're Probably in the Wrong Career — Here's How to Find Your "Thing" | Tom Rath

  6. Jul 23

    315. Meet the Teacher Behind 2M+ Students on Udemy | Kyle Pew

    How do you stand out and build a thriving online business when there are already thousands of competitors in your exact niche? When Kyle Pew first searched the Udemy platform to launch his online courses, he typed in keywords like "Excel" and discovered over a thousand courses already existing in his space. It was discouraging, and he initially wondered if he was just going to waste his time. Yet, instead of walking away, he took the leap, tested the waters with smaller courses, and ultimately built a student base of nearly 2.5 million learners. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Kyle Pew, Microsoft Certified Trainer and Udemy Instructor Partner, to unpack the mindset shift and operational strategy required to scale an e-learning empire from scratch. Kyle shares the raw reality of his first six months, detailing how he balanced a nine-to-five job while delivering massive value to students who only paid $10 for a course. You will discover why separating yourself from the crowd means refusing to "record and forget" your digital products, and how continuous feedback cycles can completely transform your career. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur trying to gain traction in a crowded market, a corporate leader trying to motivate a discouraged team, or a professional wondering if Microsoft Excel is still relevant in the age of AI, this conversation offers a masterclass in consistency, deep listening, and outcome-based professional development. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... Why entering a market with more than 1,000 competitors can reveal exactly how to stand out, especially when others have stopped listening, improving, and showing up for their customers.How Kyle built early momentum by treating every low-cost student like a long-term relationship, answering questions daily and delivering far more support than the course price promised.Why real learning begins when people connect a skill to an immediate problem, rather than simply completing a list of topics and hoping the knowledge sticks.How to separate useful criticism from empty negativity, identify repeated feedback, and turn uncomfortable comments into practical improvements without allowing them to drain your confidence.Which human skills will become even more valuable as AI changes tools like Excel, including judgment, context, curiosity, data analysis, and the ability to connect information across teams.Why Kyle’s biggest measure of success is not millions of students or hundreds of thousands of reviews, but building a career that allows him to be present for the moments his family will remember. Timestamps 00:00 – Episode preview and introduction01:34 – The discouraging search that nearly stopped Kyle before he began02:36 – From teaching Excel to designing video games and back again04:26 – The six-month signal that proved his side project could work05:34 – Why giving students more than they paid for changed everything06:29 – The opportunity Kyle found inside 1,000 competing courses09:11 – Eight hours of unusable footage and the lesson it forced him to learn10:42 – How to learn from criticism without letting it consume you13:19 – What teaching millions revealed about how people actually learn15:11 – The listening habit that makes leaders and instructors more effective18:50 – Why checking every box can still produce the wrong outcome21:22 – How AI is changing Excel without making human skills irrelevant24:07 – Using ChatGPT as a sounding board instead of surrendering your judgment26:18 – How learning creates confidence only when you put it into practice28:21 – Staying grounded after teaching more than two million students29:25 – The advice from Kyle’s father that shaped his definition of success32:08 – The surreal moment the student counter reached one million33:03 – What to do when you keep trying, and nothing seems to be working33:46 – The legacy Kyle wants to leave beyond courses, reviews, and revenue34:50 – Damon’s challenge to show up, listen closely, and keep learning About Kyle Pew Kyle Pew is a world-class Microsoft-certified trainer and entrepreneur who has taught nearly 2.5 million students globally on the Udemy platform. With over two decades of classroom and digital training experience, Kyle previously specialized in live instruction environments in the San Francisco area, including several years as a premier instructor at Learnit. He also brings a diverse creative background to his educational methodology, having graduated from the Art Institute of San Francisco's media arts and animation program before working in game design for Electronic Arts (EA). Today, he focuses full-time on creating dynamic online courses, managing a massive global learning community through active Q&A facilitation, and helping professionals build the workplace skills necessary to advance their careers. Resources and Mentions Kyle Pew’s Website: https://www.officenewb.com/ Kyle Pew’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficeNewb Microsoft Excel Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/microsoft-excel-2013-from-beginner-to-advanced-and-beyond/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

    315. Meet the Teacher Behind 2M+ Students on Udemy | Kyle Pew

  7. Jul 21

    314. The #1 Reason Your AI Investment Isn't Paying Off | Julie Stone

    If your AI spend outweighs the returns, it's probably not the tool. It's how you're using it. Julie Stone is the Chief Learning Officer at TTEC, where she's led the AI transformation of a global workforce spanning more than 20 countries. She shares where most leaders go wrong with AI adoption, and how to fix your AI strategy before it costs you another year of growth and your team's trust. In this episode, you will learn: The most expensive mistake companies make with AIWhere AI improves your work — and where it doesn'tWhat to do with team members who resist AI How to lead through change without losing your team's trust Topics discussed: (00:00)Introduction (00:54) AI Leadership Mistake (03:48) Get Team Buy-In (06:23) Why Your Team Fears AI (10:02) The Employee Contract (13:28) AI for Human Connection (17:27) Turn AI Into a Daily Habit (21:02) Why the AI Revolution is Different (25:32) Lead Through Change (28:43) The Real Edge: Human Skills (31:28) 3 Things That Build a Thriving Culture (32:12) When Your Team Resists AI (34:46) Long-Term AI Training (36:24) Reframing AI Failure (38:23) Avoiding Work Slop (40:34) Confident Leaders in the AI Era Connect with Julie Stone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-stone-talent-leader/ https://www.julieastone.com/ Resources Mentioned: Superteams: The Science and Secrets of High-Performing Teams by Ron Friedman About the Guest: Julie is an enterprise executive at heart, with experience as an enterprise operator inside complex global organizations. She builds and deploys workforce strategies, AI-powered learning ecosystems, and leadership frameworks inside the world’s most complex organizations. Today, she advises CEOs and leadership teams on how human and agentic teams drive enterprise performance, resilience, and long-term value creation. Great leaders aren't born. They're always in the making. New episodes of The Learn-It-All Podcast with Damon Lembi every week. 📘 Get a free copy of The Learn-It-All Leader: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Upskill yourself and your team with Learnit: https://www.learnit.com Follow Damon Lembi: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com #LearnItAll #DamonLembi #Leadership #LeadershipPodcast

    314. The #1 Reason Your AI Investment Isn't Paying Off | Julie Stone

  8. Jul 16

    313: What Elite Sports Teach You That Business School Never Will | Andreea Dragoi

    Are you letting fear of discomfort hold you back from your next massive career breakthrough? In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with D1 swim team captain, model, and MBA candidate Andreea Dragoi to discuss how elite athletic training builds a high-performance mindset that business schools simply cannot replicate. Andreea dives deep into how her upbringing in Romania fueled her relentless, fearless drive to think outside the box, try new things, and never take "no" for an answer. Together, Damon and Andreea unpack why high-performance habits like waking up at 5:30 AM to dive into a cold pool translate into invaluable business assets. Andreea shares practical mental strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome as a young leader, blocking out the superficial "noise" of social media, and learning to "focus on your lane" to ensure long-term success. If you are looking to build learning agility, break out of your comfort zone, or understand how to lead highly ambitious team members, this episode will provide the ultimate playbook for athletic discipline and professional growth. 📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5 In this episode, you’ll learn... Why doing what makes you uncomfortable can open doors that staying safe never will.How to train your mind to “enjoy the pain” and push past the psychological barriers that tell you to stop.Why being coachable means accepting feedback you may not want to hear and actually applying it.How ambitious people can lose their edge when life gets too comfortable, and how to reconnect with the reason you started.Why confidence comes from repeatedly putting yourself in situations that scare you, not waiting until you feel ready.How to stay focused on your own lane when social media makes everyone else’s life look perfect. Timestamps 00:00 Episode preview and introduction00:57 The fearless mindset behind Andreea Dragoi’s success02:23 The two people who shaped her drive03:16 Moving to America alone at 1805:28 What American culture could learn from Romania08:12 The brutal discipline of a D1 swimmer09:04 How to become 1% better every day11:26 The difference between learn-it-alls and know-it-alls13:31 The race she lost before it even ended15:50 Turning rejection into your next opportunity17:12 How sports built her confidence beyond the pool18:03 Two tricks for performing under pressure19:49 How an introvert learned to own the room20:55 Why companies keep hiring former athletes22:44 What ambitious young employees need from leaders23:35 The leadership style that kills motivation25:14 How Andreea uses AI to work smarter29:54 Why everyone needs to learn how to sell30:27 Advice for an eight-year-old with big dreams31:19 The truth about imposter syndrome32:15 Why we care so much about other people’s opinions33:00 The social media reality nobody wants to admit34:20 The hunger that keeps high performers moving35:35 Damon’s challenge: Get uncomfortable and take the risk About Andreea Dragoi Andreea Dragoi is a Division 1 varsity swimmer and captain at San Jose State University, currently completing her accelerated MBA program. Born and raised in Romania, Andreea moved to California at the age of 18 to pursue both her academic and athletic passions. In addition to her athletic achievements, Andreea has successfully navigated roles in modeling and pageantry. She is a passionate advocate for learning agility, leveraging artificial intelligence in marketing, and encouraging the next generation of leaders to push past their comfort zones. Resources and Mentions Andreea Dragoi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreea-dragoi-270377235/ Andreea Dragoi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragoi_andreea/?hl=en Andreea Dragoi’s Website: https://andreeadragoi.com/ Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I Spotify Follow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

    313: What Elite Sports Teach You That Business School Never Will | Andreea Dragoi
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The Learn-It-All™ podcast is built on the conviction that the leaders worth following aren't the ones with all the answers. They're the ones who never stop learning. If you've chosen growth over coasting, and curiosity over the comfort of being the smartest person in the room, you're a learn-it-all. And this podcast is for you. Host Damon Lembi is a 3x bestselling author, CEO of Learnit, and someone who has spent 30 years watching what separates leaders who keep growing from those who quietly become the ceiling that limits everyone around them. Each episode features real conversations with top executives, founders, NYT bestselling authors, and world-class athletes — people who've faced adversity, made costly mistakes, and done the hard, unglamorous work of growing. They share what they learned — and unlearned — to lead at the next level. Great leaders aren't born or made. They're always in the making. Let's not do that work alone. Stay curious. Keep learning. Subscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast on your favorite platform to never miss an episode.

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